When it comes to playing baseball games on a portable system, nothing beats Sony's MLB: The Show series. SCEA's San Diego Studios outdoes itself each and every year adding a number of improvements and utilizing the best presentation the PSP can put out. Good news, baseball fans -- MLB '08: The Show is no exception to the rule. This could be the best in the series, if our early hands-on impressions are any indication.

The game still feels as natural as it did last year. Batting is fluid when it comes to connecting with the ball and advancing around the bases. You can take your chances and try to guess the pitch that comes your way. Guess correctly and you might be able to take it to the fence. Screw it up and it's almost a guaranteed strike, unless you're a damn good contact hitter. A Progressive Batting Performance feature also lets you work your way out of "slumps", in case you have trouble hitting the ball.

As for pitching, MLB '08 leans heavily on both its Adaptive Pitching Intelligence and Pitch Command System. They're both superb tools. These assist you in modifying your pitching style so you automatically get accustomed with key pitches, but can equally punish you for not using certain pitches enough. If you overuse the fast ball, it'll become your specialty. By the same token, however, your curveball might suffer since you use it less and less. Fielding also has a new advantage with a "Rob" system, where you can time your jump and take away a home run if it's right there next to the fence.

MLB '08 also has a couple of custom additions to make the game feel more like your own personal experience. This year's game lets you pause and save the action at any time, in case you need to shut down your system to interact with the real world or -- by chance -- if you're watching a real baseball game. You can then return to that point in time and continue your landslide of home runs, if the Red Sox aren't burying you first.

In addition, MLB My Music allows you to incorporate your own MP3 library into the action, so you can listen to whatever you want in the background. Want to come out to the likes of "I Feel Pretty"? Hey, that's your call.

Probably the biggest feature is the improved Road To the Show mode, now labeled 2.0. This modified mode gives you a new set of goals to complete as you attempt to become the next great baseball legend (ala Matt Holliday). It goes step by step when it comes to career enhancement, running you through drills and early games until you get promotions in your MLB career. An enhanced statistics system shows your strengths and weaknesses throughout, so you always have an idea of what to work on. Best of all, you can choose from a number of positions, with each one specifically designed for use with Road To the Show. It's not just limited to boring outfielder duties. If you want to take on the role of a catcher or pitcher, those options are on hand.

Once again, the presentation looks unbeatable. The on-field visuals run smoothly, with players animating just like the real thing (we love those pre-swing warm-ups with the bat) and fine camera perspectives throughout. The ball is easy to read in the outfield, a huge plus when you want to get under it for that perfect catch. All of the MLB ball fields are present and accounted for, from the Green Monster at Fenway Park to the bright lights of Coors Field. Furthermore, MLB '08: The Show once again features great running commentary from the three-man team of Rex Hudler, Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell, not missing a beat on the action.

Several other features round out MLB '08: The Show's numerous attributes. An Umpire Personality feature gives you a look at the strikes zone. King of the Diamond is back, if you're up for a little dueling action. Home Run Derby is lots of fun, and lets you settle the argument as to who the top hitter in the MLB is, if only two at a time. Historical Greats are also available, in case you feel like matching up with a player from the sport's archives. You can also adjust personal Sliders to make the experience feel more like your own.

Best of all, MLB '08: The Show has several online-supported goodies. A new SCOUT (SportsConnect Online User Tracking) system makes matching up with players much easier, as you won't play against an opponent who's better than you. Online League Play puts you in a full-blown league, complete with stat tracking and rewards. If you can't find any players online, you can always match up with a friend through Ad Hoc mode.

There's a lot more territory to cover in MLB '08: The Show, but we'll save most of the details for our forthcoming review when the game arrives next month. Keep an eye on GameDaily and in the meantime, warm up those mitts and get ready to play the best baseball game in town.